Where would you stay?

[TaraZ]

My family is going to Disney next January... while my husband has gone many times (as a child/teen), I have never gone nor has our 2 (will be 3 by our trip) year old daughter.

We definitely want to stay in the Magic Kingdom... we are just unsure which resort to choose!

Any advice/input/etc would be appreciated!!!

 

[Girldreamer02]

The two resorts I've stayed at are Coronado Springs Resort and Animal Kingdom Lodge. I loved both of these resorts!!! If you are looking to save a little money CSR would be the cheaper of the two since its a moderate resort and AKL is a deluxe. hth we'll be going back in dec and staying at AKL. If you decided to stay at akl make sure you at least try to get a savanah view room so you can see the animals. This isn't a must since there are viewing areas all over the resort, but it sure is nice to wake up and look at animals.

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

I think you first need to figure out your budget. Are you looking at $100/nt? $160.nt? $250/nt? $500/nt??
Many people love the value resorts, and they are a good deal for about $100 or less a night. Or maybe you want a more deluxe type hotel? Or do you want one with an in-room kitchenette?
Look at your budget, and go from there.

 

[TaraZ]

We are looking at the Deluxe Resorts... this trip is a gift from my parents (they are feeling guilty for never taking me to Disney as a child, I think!)...

At first I considered the Villas at the Wilderness Lodge-- but since this is my little girl & my first trip to Disney-- I decided that we should be in the middle of it all... SO... we are thinking either the Poly, Grand Floridian, or maybe the Contemporary. The problem is that ideally we wanted a suite, but I refuse to pay the rates for those rooms!

 

[G's mommy]

If you want to be closest to Magic Kingdom (on the monorail) and are willing to pay the price for a deluxe resort, then you should consider the Polynesian, Contemporary, or Grand Floridian. If you don't want to spend quite that much, look at the Wilderness Lodge, it is not on the monorail, but is close to MK and has boat service to MK and bus service to the rest of the parks. If none of these are in your budget, than definitely consider Coronado Springs or Port Orleans French Quarter (since your child is so young).

 

[heatherlynn444]

the rooms at poly and GF are pretty big if its sq footage you are worried about. if you REALLY want a suite the best thing is to rent DVC points and get a 1 bedroom villa at WL or another DVC resort. I have stayed at GF and Poly and love them both, with GF being my favorite

 

[TaraZ]

One of the reasons we wanted a suite was so that when DD goes to bed, we can still be awake... BUT... I think that as long as we have the balcony to hang out on, we should be okay. Plus, my parents will be staying at the Ft Wilderness campground, so I'm sure DD will be staying there some nights as well.

Last year, we went to Naples, FL and had a 1 bedroom suite at our hotel-- it was so great to have our own space-- but I guess we really don't need that at Disney!

HeatherLynn-- what made you prefer the GF over the Poly?

 

[DizzDoll]

Also a plug for the Contemporary would be the easy walk to/from the MK - much quicker than taking the monorail...obviously a tower room overlooking the MK would be the room to get, but the south wing is pretty as well in its own way. The drawback to the Contemporary is the bathroom - not enough shelf space and 2 shallow, square sinks with poor drainage.

 

[Cindy's Mom]

One of the reasons we wanted a suite was so that when DD goes to bed, we can still be awake... BUT... I think that as long as we have the balcony to hang out on, we should be okay. Plus, my parents will be staying at the Ft Wilderness campground, so I'm sure DD will be staying there some nights as well.

Last year, we went to Naples, FL and had a 1 bedroom suite at our hotel-- it was so great to have our own space-- but I guess we really don't need that at Disney!

HeatherLynn-- what made you prefer the GF over the Poly?

Our family usually travels in Suite Hotels for the same reason as you and your DH. But we find that at Disney - DH and I are soooo sooo tired to even hang out on the balcony. We let the kids stay up late on vacation, so DH and I are fine with going to bed at 11ish.

 

[heatherlynn444]

One of the reasons we wanted a suite was so that when DD goes to bed, we can still be awake... BUT... I think that as long as we have the balcony to hang out on, we should be okay. Plus, my parents will be staying at the Ft Wilderness campground, so I'm sure DD will be staying there some nights as well.

Last year, we went to Naples, FL and had a 1 bedroom suite at our hotel-- it was so great to have our own space-- but I guess we really don't need that at Disney!

HeatherLynn-- what made you prefer the GF over the Poly?

the GF has just always been my favorite resort. I love the theming, the atmosphere, teh way you are treated, it is just the best IMO! I love sitting in the big beautiful lobby, they have a good counter service place with good food, and two of my favorite restaurants, GF cafe and narcoossees are there.
dont get me wrong, the Poly is great and we are staying there next year to chage things up, but the GF will alwyas be my favorite

 

[TaraZ]

Thanks, Cindy's Mom-- you have definitely made me feel better about my room vs suite decision!

My DH has stayed at both the GF & Poly in the past-- we're talking at least 15-20 years ago past-- and he says both are great. But he thinks that the ease of the GF might win out-- when our DD is older, the Poly might be the best choice-- but to be able to have so many fun kiddie things right at the GF... YIKES! Who knew this would be so hard!

 

[Piglets Mommy]

We are looking at the Deluxe Resorts... this trip is a gift from my parents (they are feeling guilty for never taking me to Disney as a child, I think!)...

At first I considered the Villas at the Wilderness Lodge-- but since this is my little girl & my first trip to Disney-- I decided that we should be in the middle of it all... SO... we are thinking either the Poly, Grand Floridian, or maybe the Contemporary. The problem is that ideally we wanted a suite, but I refuse to pay the rates for those rooms!

I would choose the Poly..right on the monorail, you can walk to the TTC for the monorail to EPCOT, you can watch wishes and the EWP from the beach at night, you have a beautiful pool and beach to enjoy as well. If you request a room on the first floor you can sit out back on your patio while dd sleeps. If one of you wants to go get a drink or grab a bite to eat without walking out the main door and waking up dd.

If you choose Poly, request 1st or 3rd floor, as some 2nd floor rooms don't have balconies.

What ever you choose, have a great trip!

 

[TJA]

We are looking at the Deluxe Resorts... this trip is a gift from my parents (they are feeling guilty for never taking me to Disney as a child, I think!)...

At first I considered the Villas at the Wilderness Lodge-- but since this is my little girl & my first trip to Disney-- I decided that we should be in the middle of it all... SO... we are thinking either the Poly, Grand Floridian, or maybe the Contemporary. The problem is that ideally we wanted a suite, but I refuse to pay the rates for those rooms!

The only deluxe I have not stayed at is Grand Floridian, so I cannot comment on that. We love Poly and Contemporary (CR) for different reasons. These 2 resorts are quite different. So I'd look at the themes of each and choose which one suits you better. Poly has a relaxed, hawaiian feel. It has several "longhouses" where the rooms are located, and then a Grand Ceremonial Building where the restaurants and lobby are located. It has GREAT restaurants there and a nicely themed pool.

The CR is a lot different than Poly. Really, the name itself describes it the best -- it's contemporary. It does have a bit of a convention atmosphere, but then again it's right next to MK so it also feels really magical. If you stay in the tower with an MK view, it's spectacular because you can see MK, GF, and Poly. And you can watch Wishes and the water parade right from your room balcony. CR has Chef Mickeys which is a fun character meal (breakfast and dinner) for kids. It also has a walking path to MK and it's awesome to have that option. It's about a 5-minute walk.

 

[TaraZ]

Oh, thanks for the info on the second floor Poly rooms!

Anybody have thoughts on concierge vs not?

 

[hoosiergirl7]

We're staying at WL with our DS 4. It's still convenient without spending the money for a monorail convenient resort. We'll have a balcony to sit out on while DS goes to sleep. I know your parents are paying for it but I wouldn't want them to have to pay that much for my trip. Your daughter will only be 3 and she'll probably remember very little from the trip and I think as long as she's in the thick of Disney, she'll be fine. The buses and boats are great too. We would've liked to stay at Caribbean Beach Resort this trip but the pool is currently under a major remodel and would be through our trip. By your trip it will be open again and I've heard this resort is a HUGE hit with little kids. We're hoping when we stay at Disney the next time we'll be at CBR.

Good luck in deciding and you will love your trip. Right now we only travel about every 18 months and I still feel like it's my first time every time we go. That may change if DH gets a job transfer to Atlanta.

 

[TaraZ]

Oh, we don't plan on having them pay for the entire cost of the room... we just have to figure out a way to trick them into thinking they are!

 

[heatherlynn444]

i have stayed GF royal palm club concierge twice and LOVE it. unfortunately it is VERY pricey and we won't be able to afford it again for a few more years probably. if you have the funds to do it i say go for it. it was great for rbeakfast every morning, afternoon snacks, and they have snacks geared towards the kids, too. they made all my ADR's for me and were very easy to work with. plus i LOVE staying in the main building!

 

[Uncle Donald]

We have stayed at all 4 of the MK resorts (CR, Poly, GF and WL). One thing to consider regarding the WL. Although it's a great resort, you are going in January. We stayed there once for a January trip, which seemed like a good idea given the theme of the resort. But taking that boat to MK can be rough in the morning. Out on that dock at 8:15 a.m., right next to the water, it was COLD - even if the day turned out to be a really nice day. Just something I thought you should consider.

Having said all that, if you can afford it, we love the Poly. It just has such a wonderful, laid-back feel to it. And it's especially beautiful at night.

 

[skipperkim]

I'd have to say CR since it walking distance to MK where you will be spending lots of time with your DD. GF has more things for her to do, butterfly release and Princess Tea. No matter where you stay, I'm sure she will think it's magical.

 

[TaraZ]

It sounds like I have narrowed our choices down to two good options based on everyone's responses!

Now-- how far in advance should I make the reservations??? And which should be the final choice???